1

(The appearance of Comrade Lenin among the demonstrators provokes prolonged, unceasing ovation.) After greetings to the Moscow and world proletariat, Comrade Lenin draws a parallel between last year's May Day celebrations and the present ones. Over this year, the political situation has changed considerably in favor of Soviet power. A year ago, on May 1, we were under the threat of German imperialism. Now it is broken and cast into dust.

The picture of the celebration of the proletarian day has changed not only for us. In all countries, workers have taken the path of struggle against imperialism. The liberated working class victoriously celebrates its day of freedom openly and freely not only in Soviet Russia, but also in Soviet Hungary and Soviet Bavaria. Today, at the same time, we can say with confidence that not only in Red Moscow, Red Petrograd, and Budapest, but in all major proletarian centers, workers who have come out not for a stroll but to demonstrate their strength speak of the significance of Soviet power and of the imminent victory of the proletariat.

Turning to the threats of Anglo-French imperialism, Comrade Lenin says that if Anglo-French imperialism was forced to yield the field of struggle in Ukraine, where only insignificant bands of insurgents were active, then before the forces of united Soviet Russia, Hungary, and Bavaria it will not be able to stand at all. The abandonment of Odessa and the Crimea shows that Anglo-French soldiers do not wish to fight against Soviet Russia, and in this lies the pledge of our victory.

V. I. Lenin reports a telegram received from Comrade Kamenev that Sevastopol has been completely cleared of French detachments. Thus, he says, today in liberated Sevastopol the red banner of the proletariat waves, celebrating its day of liberation from imperialist gangs. (Prolonged ovation. Long, unceasing "hurrahs.")

Touching on Kolchak's threats, Comrade Lenin says that the latest reports from the front enable us to assert that victory over Kolchak is quite near. Tens and hundreds of thousands of fighters are being sent to the front, who will completely destroy Kolchak's gangs.

In conclusion, Comrade Lenin expresses confidence in the final victory of Soviet power throughout the world and exclaims: "Long live the international republic of Soviets! Long live communism!"

"Izvestia of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee," No. 93, May 3, 1919

Printed from the text of the newspaper "Izvestia of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee"

2

Most of those present, says Comrade Lenin, who have not yet reached thirty or thirty-five years of age, will see the flowering of communism, from which we are still far removed.

Pointing to the children, Comrade Lenin says that they, now participating in the festival of the liberation of labor, will fully enjoy the fruits of the labors and sacrifices borne by revolutionaries.

"Our grandsons will regard the documents and monuments of the epoch of capitalist order as curiosities. With difficulty will they be able to imagine how commerce in articles of prime necessity could be in private hands, how factories and plants could belong to individual persons, how one person could exploit another, how people not engaged in labor could exist. Until now, as of a fairy tale, we have spoken of what our children will see, but now, comrades, you clearly see that the building of socialist society we have laid the foundation for is no utopia. Our children will build this edifice even more assiduously. (Stormy applause.)"

"Evening News of the Moscow Soviet," No. 230, May 2, 1919

Printed from the text of the newspaper "Evening News of the Moscow Soviet"

3. Speech from the Lobnoye Mesto at the Opening of the Monument to Stenka Razin

(Stormy applause.) Today we celebrate, comrades, May 1 with proletarians throughout the world, thirsting for the overthrow of capital. This Lobnoye Mesto reminds us how for centuries the toiling masses have suffered and endured grievously under the yoke of oppressors, for never could the power of capital maintain itself otherwise than through violence and outrage, which even in times past provoked uprisings. This monument represents one of the representatives of rebellious peasantry. On this spot he laid down his life in the struggle for freedom. Many sacrifices have Russian revolutionaries made in the struggle against capital. The best people of the proletariat and peasantry, fighters for freedom, have perished, but not for the freedom that capital offers—freedom with banks, with private factories and plants, with speculation. Away with such freedom! We need true freedom, possible only when the members of society are workers alone. Much labor, many sacrifices must be expended for such freedom. And we will do everything for this great goal, for the realization of socialism. (Stormy applause.)"

"Evening News of the Moscow Soviet," No. 230, May 2, 1919

Printed from the text of the newspaper "Evening News of the Moscow Soviet"